Scarrots - The Sound Of Being Lost

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2007 by Tom

We sure had to wait a long time for this one, the first proper full-length from Leuven-based Scarrots, as their former release (dating back from 2002) was just a collection of oldies slapped together with some more recent songs to soothe fans at the time (and label perhaps). Celebrated for their awesome live performance, the band unfortunately disappeared from the limelight right at the moment their breakthrough seemed a given, an amazing performance at Pukkelpop’s skatestage in 2003 the bubble that should have seen the band burst onto the national rockscene once and for all, but alas fate decided differently. But that was then and this is now ...

The band had some years to reflect on where they wanted to take their music, and the hardship of finding an adequate replacement drummer, the incident that instigated their forced hiatus for the past two years or so, has obviously forged a stronger and more focused whole. The Scarrots always were one of the bands that seemed most capable of fulfilling their potential and go the mile as a rock-band in Belgium, and the strength of “The Sound Of Being Lost” just adds to that train of thought. Not so lost after all perhaps, as “The Sound Of Being Lost” sounds more like a homecoming of sorts, the new album building upon all the strengths the band had been unveiling in the past. There’s Pieter’s sad melancholic vocal delivery that somehow seems to beg for sing-along at every chance and the well-placed keyboard licks combined with powerful and delicious pop-rock grooves that never fail to leave their mark. It can be said that Scarrots, together with their label-mates of Circle were leading the pack of independent rock bands way before their time, but where-as I definitely could see them making a big breakthrough on the radio-waves back in the day, the present accessibility of the indie-rock climate seems to favor the band and should see the Scarrots reclaiming their spot in the lime-lights in no-time.

Now it’s weird that a label that prides itself on recent releases mixed by the likes of Ryan Greene and Alan Douches didn’t go the extra mile with this one, as the production values are a bit of a letdown at times, and the album surely lacks the jingle and jangle subtleties to measure itself up to the true leaders in the genre, but the sheer quality of the songs is nothing short of impressive and should assure the band gets their shot at greatness once again. “Arrows Of Light” is a tremendous song that sees the band outgrow their punky roots for a new-wavey sound that doesn’t belie it’s 80’s influences. There’s certainly a lot more depth to “The Sound Of Being Lost”, and the passing of time has allowed for some alternative elements to creep into the bands repertoire, which offers a richness that is hard to ignore. “Paradise Paralyse” is a melancholic rocker, while “Lost In Time” is way more up-tempo and joyous. “May Our Souls …” is more introvert as a song, and really thrives on the duality between dreamy intermezzos and flares of up-tempo harmonies. “Burn The Pages”, the most recognizable songs as it was the bands first radio-hit back in the day, shows a decisively more angry vocal delivery than on previous recordings, but overall the song sounds too slick this time round to really get my heart stomping like the original did. The songs never let up, and even the antagonizingly slow “Soma Holiday” never bores for a single second. “Seven Days Before My Brain Explodes” is another definite highlight, the melodies immediately gripping you by the throat, in contrast to “So Sweet Sadness” that slowly but definitely creeps up to you and totally gets under your skin with its definite Cure vibe. There’s honestly not a single disappointing song on here, and even though the second half of the album is a bit less upbeat as one could have hoped for, it is still a very rewarding process to see the band unfold their new-found sense of direction, with it’s myriad of little touches that make it ever so interesting to listen to. “The Sound Of Being Lost” is a definite stayer.

Together with bands like The Sedan Vault and Larsson, The Scarrots are part of a new generation of bands that are undoubtedly about to leave their mark on our little rock-scene, and with this magnificent new CD under their belt, there’s not a hair on my head that doubts the Scarrots will make a lasting impact on the radio waves. “The Sound Of Being Lost” shows a band that is slowly tapping into its full potential, and succeeded in delivering a highly entertaining album that should please anyone who is into this day and age’s alternative rock circuit.

Album Information

Best Song:Arrows Of Light (its frickin' HUGE!!)
Medium/Type:Full-Length
Released:April 7th, 2007
Record Label:Funtime Records

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Tracklisting

  1. Arrows of light
  2. Paradise paralyse
  3. Lost in time
  4. May our souls remain in light
  5. Burn the pages
  6. Soma holiday
  7. Seven days before my brain explodes
  8. So sweet sadness
  9. Drop the bomb on me
  10. I'll travel a million lightyears
  11. Daydreams of escape